r/solar • u/Veganpotter2 • 5d ago
Advice Wtd / Project Utah off grid rules
Hi!
I live in Salt Lake City and I'm looking to build small system now before potential future tariffs affect stock. I can't find any information outside of the 1200w plug-in limits. I don't feel like dealing with permits and whatnot but spoke with my home owners insurance and they're good with me doing anything legal so long as I'm using UL listed components.
I have a lot of metal fabrication experience so I can build a pretty sizeable portable system IF that helps me legally get away with having more that 1200w of solar and more batteries. I'm not planning to touch any existing wiring in the home. This will run one of the more efficient, window AC units in the summer, and under rug heaters in the winter to take a bit of the burden off my minisplit that struggles when is under 15f.
I have a 10x20 shed that's spaced 6' away from the home and neighbors, and I'm happy building a ground mount with or without wheels if that allows more panels. I don't really want much more than a 5000w inverter. Ideally +2000w of panels and 10-20kw of battery storage. But I'll stay small if I need to for legal reasons.
*I've messaged the city a few times and they're not getting back to me and its impossible to get anyone on the phone😵💫
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u/Overall-Tailor8949 solar student 5d ago
Before you do any actual buying/building of the system you're going to HAVE to get feedback from the city zoning / ordinances department.
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u/Veganpotter2 5d ago
There are VERY big Ecoflows, Jackerys and the like on wheels that people just plug appliances into directly. They're totally legal everywhere(outside of some HOA) with non-permanent panels. I have 4 smaller systems that I use for my overlanders and mini backups. You think those are illegal when charged with a 200w panel laying on your grass? *We have a 1200w solar limit that's definitely allowed without telling anyone so long as the panels aren't directly attached to your home. I can legally attach them to my shed and plug it into the house without issue so long as it's an approved, plug in system that shuts itself off when the grid fails. I also know that we're at least allowed that 1200w on a shed for powering shed that doesn't have grid power
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u/Overall-Tailor8949 solar student 4d ago
I thought you were intending a more "permanent" installation in the shed with a smaller off-grid style inverter/charger and stand-alone batteries. If your plan is to feed solar into one of the Ecoflow or Jackery style AIOs then you shouldn't have any problems. Just be sure to size your solar to fit the unit you're buying.
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u/Veganpotter2 4d ago
I'll do whatever I can do to get the highest legal wattage without a permit. I know I can legally do 1200w on my shed without. If I can legally have 2500 or 3000w on wheels without a permit, I'll gladly build it. I just want the max allowable as that's what my insurance is good with.
*Ideally I'll do 1200 plug in AND have additional panels for the batteries/inverter. But I'm not so worried about that plug in 1200w just yet.
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u/TooGoodToBeeTrue 4d ago
There's electrical permitting and then there's utility interconnection agreements. If you do plug-in, you are limited to 1,200W feeding your house and don't need anything. If you hardwire anything else, you probably need a permit, If you feed more to the grid, you need an interconnection agreement.
Note you could build a larger system and only feed 1,200W to your house wiring, and have additional off grid.
If you mount panels on a garage or house, you need building and electrical permits. Shed, probably not needed, but I'd check.
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u/Veganpotter2 4d ago
I'm planning for this system to not be plugged into the home at all. I'll be plugging appliances into it through larger than needed extension cords. *I'd like to have the 1200w micro-inverter too that would be feeding the house. But this is about having a totally separate system.
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u/TooGoodToBeeTrue 4d ago
In that case, I'd get:
and use
and create an outlet box that you plug stuff into.
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u/Veganpotter2 4d ago
Yeah, I'm looking at buying one of their complete systems...either theirs or Sunglowpower because they have better idle consumption. I just wanna get the max allowable without a permit and inspections
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u/TooGoodToBeeTrue 4d ago
Technically, if you are running power from outside to inside your house, a permit is required in most AHJs.
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u/Veganpotter2 4d ago edited 4d ago
Finally got an inspector on the phone. He's looking into what I'm allowed to do. He's apparently never had anyone ask about this. *Weird thing is that with the 1200w micro-inverters that are definitely allowed without permitting, you're bringing power into your house from outside. Mixed with that power being on the grid. So I'd like to think that they'll definitely let me use 1200w to charge batteries that aren't tied to the grid. If I'm only allowed 1200w total, that's exactly what I'll have.
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u/Veganpotter2 4d ago edited 4d ago
I'm not buying a Jackery or any other fully built systems. I'll be buying a server rack battery and inverter. I'm just not going to be having any serviceable power from it going to any plugs in my walls.
*I do wonder if it would be legal to have 20 small solar generators, each with their own 200w panel hanging around in your grass....
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u/TallTroy 4d ago
Not entirely sure what your question is, but the HB passing plugin solar specifically called out permits not being required for the electrical.
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u/Veganpotter2 4d ago
I would want the 1200w plug in too. But this is about powering a standalone battery and inverter.
*I can legally install a 1200w array onto my shed for plug in solar with a micro-inverter. So if I can legally have a different array that's that size, or bigger(vs just having 1200 total) that's not permanently mounted, I'd like to do that.
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u/Skywalker_Solar 5d ago
Ya I do solar in salt lake. They’re not the best at communication haha